Page 16 of When It Reins
“Honey…” Meryl starts, turning toward me with what looks like a sympathetic smile. “I’m so sorry to hear about the breakup.”
I frown, loading my groceries onto the small belt. “Breakup?”
Meryl blinks, and I glance at Earl, who looks away. “Well, surely you’re not staying with that man.”
I sigh, wondering when they will stop being suspicious of David. They are suspicious of all outsiders. It takes forever to get them to welcome people into the fold. I think my sisters and I just seemed pathetic enough after being orphaned that they let us slide.
“I’m not sure what’s got you worried, Ms. Meryl, but David is a good guy.” I am growing tired of having to stand up for him, knowing that not a single person will say anything directly to him.
Okay, well, maybe there is one person.
“He’s trying to steal land, Juniper Weaver. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” Meryl snaps, ripping the receipt from Earl and stomping out with her groceries in hand.
I blink in surprise. I’ve never seen Meryl act like that. When I look back at Earl, he gives me a sympathetic smile and starts checking out my items.
“Don’t worry about her, Juniper. She’s just worried about her town.”
I frown, unsure what they know that I don’t.
“Land getting developed around here is scary to some people. They want it to stay small-town and not grow until they don’t know their neighbors anymore,” Earl explains, most likely unaware of the uneasy feeling in my gut.
What are they talking about? And what in the world is David doing?
The bar is busy for Tuesday and though I’m not scheduled to work, I am desperate for some answers. David isn’t answering his phone, and when I went by The Lodge, he wasn’t in his room.
The feeling in my gut swirls harder and harder until I feel sick.
We just spent the weekend together. We just had a great time. He told me that we are going to try to find a halfway point to meet when he goes back home.
He was born and raised in Denver. His parents were still there, somewhere over in Aurora, from what I remember. So he wants to remain close to them, which is why he is reluctant to move up here.
It is a tricky situation, but one that I can see myself working out if he gives us the chance.
Thea is behind the bar when I come in, busy serving drinks. But her actions halt for a moment when she catches sight of me.
By the expression on her face, concern mixed with pity, I know right away she is going to have my answers.
“Junie, I’m sorry,” are her first words. Words that don’t make any sense to me.
“Sorry for what? What is going on?”
Thea pours a beer from the tap, watching the foam before looking back at me. “You didn’t hear?”
“No,” I say, throwing on an apron and grabbing a glass to make a Manhattan that’s called from the next patron. “I keep getting looks thrown my way, but no one will tell me what’s going on.”
“Well, it’s not definite, but there’s been some serious rumors swirling about David’s company.” Thea smiles at a customer and takes the next order, but I know her focus is on me.
“What rumors?”
“That his company is coming in and buying tax liens on properties, then evicting longtime residents.”
I freeze, my heart hammering in my chest the only sign I didn’t just pass out. “What?” My breathless question makes Thea turn to me.
“So…you really didn’t know?”
“Of course not, but…” I stammer, my hands suddenly clammy. “That’s not possible. David wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t allow that to be done.”
Thea pauses, and Heidi, one of our other bartenders, takes over while Thea pulls me into the back room.
